Game apparatus.



UNTTED sTATEs PATENT oEEioE.

DAVID HENDRY TAYLOR, OF ADELADE, SOUTH AUSTRALIA, AUSTRALIA.

GAME APPARATUS.

To @ZZ whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, DAVID HENDRY TAYLOR, master marine-r, a subject of t-he King of Great Britain, residing at 89 King William street, Adelaide, in the State of South Australia, in the Commonwealth of Australia, have invented a new and useful Improved Game Apparatus, of which the following is a specification.

This invention r-elates to an improved game apparatus in which darts or slugs are shot or fired at targets with a toy gun or other sporting toy firearm.

The object of this invention is to provide a game apparatus ofsimple and inexpensive construction which may be readily carried from place to place, easily set up for use, and in which the operating parts are adjusted automatically.

For the purposes of my invention, I provide a target which is transversely connected to a rotatable shaft and is arranged to partially rotate toothed ratchet wheel upon the shaft each time it is struck; means being provided for indicating when the ratchet wheel has completed one revolution; and means for automatically returning the target to its vertical position after being struck.

A structural embodiment of the invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein- Figure l is a perspective view of the improved game apparatus complete; Fig. 2 is a front elevation of the same; Fig. 3 is a detail side elevation, with parts in section, of the target; and Fig. 4 is a plan view of said target.

In these drawings, A represents the box or casing constructed of tin or other suitable metal or material. The box or casing A is preferably rectangular. in shape and is provided with a hingedcover A whereby the mechanism may be inclosed and locked for transport. The cover A is provided with a plate or screen A2 which, when in use is arranged at or about right angles to the base of the box or casing, so as to constitute a backstop for the missiles that miss the target. The said box or casing lA is provided with bearings at either end to receive the rotatable shaft B on which is loosely mounted the target C by means of a suitable ring or rings C. The target C preferably consists of a flat piece of metal having an enlarged and weighted tail portion C2. To

Specification of Letters Patent. Patented NOV, 14, 1911, Application filed November 20, 1908.

Serial No. 463,518.

the upper end of said target there is connected a spring pawl C3 which engages the teeth of a ratchet D fixed to the shaft directly back of the target. Where two rings C are employed, as in the present construction, said ratchet may be located between the rings. This ratchet is also engaged by a second spring pawl C4 which constitutes a stop to prevent return movement of shaft B, as hereinafter described. When the upper portion of the target is struck, it will swing rearwardly, as will be apparent, whereupon pawl C2 will ride over the teeth of the ratchet wit-hout occasioning any movement of shaft B, since the latter will be held against displacement by the engagement of .the lower pawl C4 wit-h said ratchet, the arrange-ment being such, therefore, that the more squarely the target is struck, the greater will be its movement. At the completion of thisvmovement, the target will be automatically returned to its original position by means of its weighted t-ail portion. This return movement will cause pawl C3 to effect a rotation o f shaft B through an arc of corresponding amplitude, since that pawl will then operatively engage the ratchet, while pawl C* will be free to ride over the teeth of the ratchet. A suitable stop arm E having a projecting piece of cork E may be provided behind the target C to regulate its movement or swing rearward upon its being struck. Upon the shaft Bl is arranged a small spike or projection F adapted to engage and raise a steel spring F (as shown in Fig. it) when the ratchet wheel D has completed its revolution. The spring F carries a clapper F2 which is sharply released when the spike or projection F has passed it, whereby the clapper F2 descends and strikes 'a bell F to indicate that the shaft B has made one complete revolution.

In carrying out my improved game, each player in turn fires at the target until from his shots the shaft has made one complete revolution and the number of the shots taken to a-ccomplish this result is recorded, the person having the lowest score winning.

The target C may be swung into a horizontal plane when not in use, whereby the box or casing A. may be inclosed and transported from place to place.

What I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States is l. The combination, with an indicator; of a target 5 a rotatable shaft on which said target through a portion of a revolution when the former is struck; means for holding said shaft against reverse rotation; and means carried by said shaft for operating said indicator when said shaft has completed a revolution.

3. The combination, with an indicator; of a target adapted to swing in one direction when struck; a rotatable shaft; means for returning said target to initial position after such swinging movement has been completed; connections between said target and said shaft for rotating the latter through a portion of a revolution during each movement of the former in one direction; means for holding said shaft against reverse rotation; and means for operating said indicator when said shaft has completed a revolution.

4. The combination, with an indicator; of a target adapted to swing in one direction when struck; a rotatable shaft; means for returning said target to initial position after such swinging movement has been completed; connections between said target and said shaft for rotating the latter through a portion of a revolution during each movement of the former in one direction; means for holding said shaft against reverse rotation; and a member carried by said shaft for operating said indicator when said shaft has completed a revolution.

5. The combination, with an indicator; of a target adapted to swing in one direction when struck; a rotatable shaft on which said target is loosely mounted; means for returning said target to initial position after such swinging movement has been completed; connections between said target and said shaft for rotating the latter through a portion of a revolution during each movement of the former in one direction; means for holding said shaft against reverse rotation; and means for operating said indicator when said shaft has completed a revolution.

6. The combination, with an audible signal and an actuator therefor; of a rotatable shaft; a target adapted to swing when struck; connections between said target and said shaft for rotating the latter through a portion of a revolution during each swinging movement of the former; means for holding said shaft against reverse rotation;

and means carried by said shaft for operating said actuator when said shaft has completed a revolution, to sound said signal.

7. The combination, with an indicator; of a rotatable shaft; a ratchet secured thereto; a target adapted to swing when struck; a pawl carried by said target and arranged for engagement with said ratchet, to rotate the same and said shaft through a portion of a revolution each time said target is struck; and means for automatically operating said indicator when said shaft has completed a revolution.

8. The combination, with an indicator; of a rotatable shaft; a ratchet secured thereto;

a target loosely mounted on said shaft andy adapted to swing when struck; a pawl carried by said target and arranged for engagement with said ratchet; to rotate said shaft through a portion of a revolution each time said target is struck; means for holding said shaft against reverse rotation; and means for automatically operating said indicator when said shaft has completed a revolution.

9. The combination, with an indicator:l of a rotatable shaft; a ratchet secured thereto; a target loosely mounted on said shaft and adapted to swing in one direction when struck; means for holding said shaft against reverse rotation; means for automatically returning said target to its initial position at the termination of such swinging movement; a pawl carried by said target and engaged with said ratchet to rotate the latter and said shaft through a portion of a revolution during each movement of said target in one direction; and means for automatically operating said indicator when said shaft has completed a revolution.

10. The combination, with an indicator; of a rotatable shaft; a ratchet secured thereto; a target loosely mounted on said shaft and adapted to swing in one direction when struck; a second pawl engaged with said ratchet for holding said shaft against reverse rotation; means for automatically returning said target to its initial position at the termination of such swinging mavement; a second pawl carried by said target and engaged with said ratchet to rotate the latter and said shaft through a portion of a revolution during each movement of said target in one direction; and means for automatically operating said indicator when said shaft has completed a revolution.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

DAvID HENDRY TAYLoR.

Witnesses:

CHARLES STANLEY BURcEss, CHARLES RALPH ALEXANDER HAINE.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for ve cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents, Washington, D. C. 

